ALHR

In a significant international development the United Nations General Assembly has today adopted a resolution recognising the right to a healthy environment as an essential human right by 161 votes in favour, no votes against and 8 abstentions. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) President Kerry Weste said, “ALHR commends Australia for supporting the international … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the appointment of the NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Dr James Cockayne, effective from 1 August 2022. The role centres on the implementation of and compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (the Act) and its amendments pursuant to the Modern Slavery Amendment Act 2021. Dr Cockayne follows in the … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) calls on the Albanese government to reopen dialogue about legislating an Australian Charter of Human Rights.  ALHR President Kerry Weste says, “We are the only Western democracy on the planet without some form of Federal Charter of Human Rights. We now have a new federal government promising to lead … Read More >>

Ahead of the closing of the 76th UN General Assembly session, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), together with an alliance of over 1300 civil society and Indigenous people organisations from around the globe, are calling on UN Member States to affirm the right to a healthy environment.  Following advocacy by the governments of Costa … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights condemns the rushed passage of draconian new anti-protest laws in NSW. With support from NSW Labor, the Roads and Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 was rammed through the NSW Parliament after being introduced late Wednesday. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) President Kerry Weste said, “ALHR is deeply troubled by … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply troubled by the Perrottet Government’s  attempts to rush through new anti-protest laws, which ALHR says threaten to breach Australia’s international human rights law obligations.  With support from NSW Labor, the Roads and Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 was rammed through the NSW Legislative Assembly late Wednesday night (in … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed additional refugee places announced in the Federal Budget. However, we are concerned by continued costs blow-outs on Australia’s inhumane offshore detention system, as well as cuts that impact Australia’s commitment to establish proper oversight and scrutiny of detention facilities and the cruel exclusion of people on temporary … Read More >>

At a time when the human rights of Australians are directly at risk from climate-driven floods, bushfires and heatwaves, the budget has cut spending on climate action, with a reduction from $2 billion to $1.3 billion over four years (a cut of 35 per cent per year).  During its current term, this Government has seen … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has described the 2022-2023 Federal Budget as reflecting a Federal Government that does not have a vision of Australia as a modern democracy that values human rights. ALHR President Kerry Weste said, “ALHR is alarmed that the budget reflects a clear disregard for Australia’s need to develop improved national … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes news that the Morrison Government has accepted the New Zealand offer to permanently resettle 450 refugees over a three-year period. The move will prioritise refugees currently detained offshore in Nauru, but will also extend eligibility to refugees detained indefinitely onshore in immigration facilities or in community detention.  ALHR … Read More >>

Leading human rights lawyers have spoken out in support of students’ right to attend today’s climate change strikes and to demand Australia take meaningful action to secure the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.  Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) President Kerry Weste said, “ALHR stands with children and young people around Australia … Read More >>

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed concern at  the retention of an  archaic and discriminatory law that criminalises homosexuality in Singapore. The comments  follow a challenge to the law in the Singapore Court of Appeal which ultimately dismissed the plaintiffs’ constitutional arguments for lack of standing. ALHR executive and LGBTI cochair, Nicholas Stewart, … Read More >>